sidebarChrist as Lord

by David Norfleet

The question has arisen in our modern culture whether Jesus must be accepted as Lord for an individual's salvation. It has not been so stated, but when salvation is proclaimed apart from Jesus, His reality is doubted, and His deity is questioned the necessary result of this reasoning is that His Lordship is unnecessary. But, that is far from the Biblical truth. As Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:36, "Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ - this Jesus whom you crucified."

But, what does it mean to regard someone as Lord? The word translated "Lord" in Acts 2:36 denotes the idea of a proprietor, master, or sovereign. It is the idea of authority or one with authority. It implicitly calls for obedience and submission. Those are difficult concepts in today's society as many do not wish to acknowledge the authority of anyone in their lives. But, authority is a reality in whatever you do (i.e. principal, boss, parents, police officers). Authority is either inherent in one's self or position or bestowed by another. Jesus' authority or lordship is derived from both sources.

Jesus is to be counted as Lord as befits His deity and role in our creation. His authority is inherent with who He is. From the very beginning of the written record we see Jesus' eternal nature presented. In Genesis 1:26 God is spoken of in a plurality. We are later told in Colossians 1:16 "...that by Him all things were created...through Him and for Him." We are also told in John 1:1 in speaking of Jesus as the Word that He was in the beginning with God and He was God. The plurality spoken of in Genesis is shown to include the Jesus, the Son of God. We are later told in John 1:14 that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among His creation hence His title of Immanuel translated "God with us (Isaiah 7:14)." Jesus is due our worship and homage because of the authority inherent in who He is. He is God, He is Creator, and He is the Sustainer!

But, Jesus was also given authority by another, God the Father. While on earth, Jesus dwelt in the flesh and was a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:9; Philippians 2:5-8). But, the Father gave Him all authority in heaven and earth as seen in Matthew 28:18-20. And after His death, burial, and resurrection He ascended back to the Father, where He now sits on His right hand, the place power and authority (Acts 2:32-33). Christ is Lord by the bestowal of power and authority by God the Father as is prophesied of in Psalm 110:

Psalms 110:1-2 A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." (2) The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!

The Lordship of Jesus Christ is inherent in who He is and the authority bestowed upon Him by the Father. Those facts have been manifested in numerous ways throughout the New Testament:

  1. His authority extended to the things He taught. The commands He gave and the examples He left are authoritative, as the deliverer had all authority. In John 12:48 it is revealed that the words Jesus spoke will be the standard of judgment for everyone. Implicit in this passage is the idea of obedience to His message as it will be the measure by which our lives are compared, because without obedience there is no submission to the authority of His words (Luke 6:46). We can see this idea further in the apostle's teachings. The commands that they forwarded to the churches were not their own, but by the authority of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:1,2). His authority was manifested in the things He spoke.

  2. His authority is manifested in that He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-2; Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 1:13-14). The word "church" is from the Greek word ekklesia which literally means a group of people or a congregation. In the case of the church of Christ it is those people called by the gospel and recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14). From a practical standpoint that means there is no head or authority (synod, council, pope, or clergy) His church should look to for doctrine or instruction except Him and Him alone. His authority is shown in His church if they only look to Him for their guidance.

  3. His authority is also manifested in His right to judge. In John 5:22 it indicates that the Father gave all judgment to the Son. That means He will weigh our lives in comparison to the standard or the words He has spoken. Only one with authority has the authority to pass this type of judgment. As the apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 4:4 the one who examines him is the Lord.

How do we acknowledge Jesus as Lord? In Acts 16:31 an individual was confronted with this question, and he was told to believe in the Lord Jesus or believe in Jesus as Lord. Individuals in Romans 10:9 were told they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord for salvation. And finally what were the people told to do in Acts 2 when they were confronted with the fact they had crucified Jesus who was both Lord and Christ? They were told to repent and be immersed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).We must acknowledge His authority by submitting to Him as Lord of our lives, and by doing everything He and those under His instruction commanded.

If we do not bow to Him as Lord in this life, it has been promised every knee will bow during the time of His judgment (Romans 14:9-12).

Romans 14:9-12 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (10) Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; (11) for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (12) So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.